Snake catcher finds his way into the record books

Snake catcher R.Kiran Kumar with a python, which he caught at Sabbavaram in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Mr, Kiran Kumar made it to the Limca Book of Records for catching more than 10,000 snakes. Photo: K.R. Deepak

Rokkam Kiran Kumar who has caught or rescued over 10,000 snakes, to be precise 10,065, with the huge rock python that he rescued from a farmhouse in Sabbavaram on Monday.

Getting one’s name published in the Limca Book of Records is a dream for many. People tend to challenge their own courage and endurance to figure in the prestigious record book. Here is a person who has taken up the task that many dread to tread. Meet Rokkam Kiran Kumar who has caught or rescued over 10,000 snakes, to be precise 10,065, with the huge rock python that he rescued from a farmhouse in Sabbavaram on Monday. He has got into the Limca Book of Records for catching the highest number of snakes.

A commerce graduate, he has caught both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. He operates from the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Township. “There are many snakes in the VSP’s township area. And for the services that I have done, the management has allotted me a house,” he said.

Not only for the VSP employees, he is the ‘108 emergency service’ when it comes to catching snakes in the district. Just call him and he will be present at the site, at the earliest, to catch the snake. He does not use any tools, like an adept magician he catches them with his bare hands. He packs them in a bag and releases them in a nearby forest. “That is where they belong,” he added.

On how and why he has chosen this profession, he said, “I come from a rural background. Back at home, snakes are a common thing in the agricultural fields. They are part and parcel of our daily life and we do not bother of their existence. But in the urban areas they are feared, hated and killed and that hurts me. They are like any other innocent animals and are vulnerable. It is we, who are fast encroaching their areas and when they come to our homes, basically in search of shelter we kill them. It could be out of fear. I just want to convey that there is somebody to catch or rescue them and send them back to where they belong.”

There are days when he has rescued over six snakes in a day. Mr. Kiran Kumar informed The Hindu that there are about 250 species of snake and only a handful of them are poisonous. “Do not kill them, just call me,” is his message. He can be reached at 98491 40500.

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Workers carryingout repairs to Visakhapatnam District Collector's Office, as it was damaged in Cyclone Hudhud in 2014 October. The majestic heritage building was designed and built by Dutch engineering company Gannon Dunkerly in 1865 and completed by 1914. Photos: C.V. Subrahmanyam